As the top seed and winner of 26 straight conference games, the FGCU women’s basketball team is the heavy favorite to win the ASUN tournament that begins this week.

The Eagles have guarded against overconfidence as they’ve torn through the league this year, but they’re especially cautious going into Friday’s quarterfinal game. Possibly missing two starters during the tournament, FGCU knows it can’t take any opponent lightly.

“We know there’s more to finish,” junior guard Davion Wingate said after the Eagles won their regular-season finale on Tuesday to finish 16-0 in conference play. “We have a job to get done.”

Florida Gulf Coast University's Keri Jewett-Giles, a Dunbar graduate, brings the ball up court during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena on Tuesday.(Photo: Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA)

That job – a third straight ASUN title and trip to the NCAA tournament – could be more difficult than expected thanks to injuries.

During Tuesday’s 61-42 win over Stetson, Eagles senior forward Destiny Washington was sent to the hospital following a collision that knocked her to the ground. Medical personnel applied a neck brace to Washington and carried her out on a backboard.

Washington was released from the hospital that night. FGCU coach Karl Smesko said Thursday that Washington is doubtful for Friday’s home game against No. 8 seed NJIT (6-23, 2-14 ASUN).

The Eagles (25-4, 16-0) already are without starter Lisa Zderadicka. The point guard has missed the past three games following a season-ending knee injury.

Washington and Zderadicka are tied for third on the Eagles in scoring, both averaging 9.4 points per game. Washington averages 6.7 rebounds per game.

Florida Gulf Coast University's Destiny Washington is taken out during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena on Tuesday.(Photo: Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA)

Even shorthanded, FGCU should be favored to beat NJIT, a team ranked No. 329 out of 351 Division I teams in the NCAA’s Ratings Percentage Index. Two of the Highlanders’ three ASUN wins and six wins total are against Lipscomb, ranked No. 327 in RPI.

However, Smesko doesn’t want his team to lose focus. He’ll need the Eagles sharp for the challenges they could face in the semifinals and finals.

“It’s human nature to think when you’re winning by a lot you don’t have to do quite as much,” Smesko said. “As a coach, it’s challenging. You can tell players, ‘This really cost us,’ but they’re thinking, ‘We just won by 20.’

"I think (the players) have locked back in better the last 10 days or so.”

With the quarterfinals, FGCU begins its quest for a third straight ASUN championship. That would be the longest streak for the Eagles, who have dominated the conference since becoming postseason-eligible in 2012.

Florida Gulf Coast University's bench celebrates during their game with Stetson at Alico Arena on Tuesday.(Photo: Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA)

FGCU has won five ASUN tournament titles in seven seasons of eligibility. However, the last time the Eagles went undefeated through the conference regular season, 2015-16, they lost at home in the ASUN finals to Jacksonville.

Now that they’re once again the undefeated top seed, the Eagles know they can’t afford to slip because the other seven teams in the tournament field are trying to take them down.

“We use it as motivation,” Wingate said. “We know we’re the team to beat. We know other teams are coming for us. We just have to come out stronger.”

Florida Gulf Coast University's head coach Karl Smesko coaches from the sidelines during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Keri Jewett-Giles brings the ball up court during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Stetson's McKenna Beach, a Cape Coral graduate, reacts to a call during a game against FGCU at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Destiny Washington is taken out during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Nasrin Ulel brings the ball up court during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Nasrin Ulel brings the ball up court during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Keri Jewett-Giles shouts out a play during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Chandler Ryan reacts to a call during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Davion Wingate brings the ball up court during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA

Florida Gulf Coast University's Kerstie Phills reacts to a play during a game against Stetson at Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Logan Newell/Special to USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA